Coxswain terms

Hands on

Tells rowers to grab hold of the boat and be ready to lift it, typically followed by instructions such as ‘ready?, up!’

Up an inch

Lift the boat about an inch when taking it out of the boat rack, usually followed by ‘and out/ready, out’.

Walk it forward

To walk forward while carrying a boat.

Heads/Heads up

A warning to watch out, often heard with boats leaving the boathouse or walking onto the dock.

Up and over

Lift the boat over your head before putting it on your shoulder.

Show heads

Said after a boat is up and over heads, signaling rowers to split to either side and lower the boat.

Split to shoulders/Down to shoulders

When the boat is over the rowers’ heads, they lower the boat to their shoulders.

Down to waist

To lower a boat to the rowers’ waists, with rowers positioned on both sides.

Up to shoulders

A command to bring the boat up from the waist to the shoulders.

Roll to the waist

When the boat is being put in the water, requiring all rowers to be on the same side.

Count down from bow

Asks the crew to call out their seat numbers starting from the bow.

Ready all, row/Ready, row

Command to begin rowing.

Bow pair to row

Command for specific rowers to row, such as bow pair, stern pair, etc.

Bow pair in, stern pair out

Instruction to shift the pair rowing without stopping the boat.

Sit ready/Set ready

Where rowers stop with oars squared and ready to start a race.

Way enough

A command to stop rowing after the blades exit the water.

Let it run

An alternative command to stop rowing. Call for rowers to stop rowing and allow the shell to glide through the water.

Hard on port/starboard

Row with more power on one side to make a sharper turn.

Eyes in the boat

Reminder to look straight ahead and avoid distractions.

Check it down/Hold water

Call for rowers to square their blades and drag them through the water to slow down or stop.

Back/Back it

Command to move the boat backward instead of forward.

Power 10

Call for rowers to take power strokes for a specific number of strokes.

In 2...

Most on-water commands are to take effect after two strokes.

Paddle

To row at a slow rate with minimal power.

One foot up and out

Command for exiting a team boat while keeping a grip on the oar.

Ready to lift

Preparation command for lifting the boat out of the water or sling.